On Saturday, Mali's capital, Bamako, and various cities experienced a series of coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen, leading to heavy gunfire and explosions. The Mali army reported that armed terrorist groups targeted military locations, including Modibo Keïta International Airport, prompting soldiers to engage the attackers. The US Embassy issued a security alert, advising American citizens to shelter in place. Reports indicated that gunfire and blasts were also heard in Kati, a town housing Mali's main military base. Videos showed militant convoys in Kati, while residents in central towns like Sevare and Mopti reported similar violence. The Tuareg-led Azawad separatist movement claimed to have taken control of parts of Kidal and Gao, areas previously held by government forces. Analysts noted that this attack appears to be one of the largest coordinated assaults in Mali in years, raising concerns about the collaboration between jihadist groups and Tuareg rebels, a partnership that has historical roots in the region's ongoing security crisis.